J.R.R. Tolkien - Christian Mythologist?

Author Stratford Caldecott, speaking on ABC Radio National (in Australia) in May 2004, about a book he had written regarding J.R.R. Tolkien and his middle-earth mythology (Stratford Caldecott, Secret Fire: The spiritual vision of J.R.R. Tolkien, London, 2003.), talked about how Tolkien’s Catholic ethos and outlook is reflected in Tolkien’s literary work. This surprised many people, because the Lord of the Rings (and other works) can, to the untrained eye, seem to be solely a book set in pre-Christian times with a largely pagan theme and setting - hey there have even been people attracted to paganism because of it (and other fantasy books). Caldecott's insights did not, I am happy to say, surprise me, my own research into Tolkien in previous years had led me too much the same conclusion, but with some added insights. These insights have led me to see Tolkien as being first and foremost a Christian mythologist. Tolkien had a great love of mythologies, particularly of Northern Europe, as well as an extensive knowledge of ancient and medieval languages (he knew at least 15 languages and was Professor of Middle-English at Oxford until his death in 1973). Tolkien was also devoutly Christian and for this reason had a great interest in Christian mythology. Tolkien committed much thought to understanding what mythology stood for, what it represented, and to how he could understand both pagan and Christian mythology in light of his Christian convictions and his belief in the power of myths to speak of the greater mysteries of the Universe. His conclusion was that myths speak to humans of the greater truths of the Universe, they explain the unexplainable, and they allow humans to give understanding to the mysteries and great themes of life: love, self-sacrifice, hope, salvation, the mysteries of the heavens and the earth, the afterlife, the divine and more besides. In Tolkien’s mind the greatest myth, the truth of the highest magnitude was the myth of Jesus, and for this reason all other myths ultimately pointed towards the cosmological expression of divine intervention that was the life, death and resurrection of Christ. Even the most pagan of myths were believed by Tolkien and other Christian mythologists (such as C.S. Lewis) to have splinters of truth pointing towards the truth of Christianity. For this reason, Tolkien, C.S. Lewis and other Christian mythologists (W.H. Auden for example) were not surprised to find stories of virgin births, dying gods and resurrected saviours in the great myths of Egypt, Babylon, Greece, Rome and in the mythologies of the Celts, Angles, Saxons and numerous other ethnicities. In other words these were themes believed by Tolkien to be intrinsic to humanity, pointing towards the innate need for salvation from the divine in the stories of humanity, and thus in Tolkien’s mind pointing towards the story of Jesus, the true myth as it were.

C.S. Lewis - Author, Academic, Philosopher and Christian Apologist.

It is interesting to note that Tolkien was in fact instrumental in bringing about the conversion of his fellow academic and mythologist, C.S. Lewis, to the Christian faith, using much the same arguments. Lewis, also heavily interested in mythology, had until meeting Tolkien believed that, while myths were great stories, ultimately they were just made up. He argued because of this, that Christian mythology was similarly made up, that it was based on recycled myths of the ancient world. Tolkien convinced Lewis to see myths in a different light and thus to see Christianity in a similarly different light - to see Christian mythology as the summing up and fulfillment of other mythologies.

This mindset is found within the fictional writings of Tolkien, particularly the Lord of the Rings and the Silmarillion. I think it is safe to say that Tolkien was not seeking to create a direct allegory of a Christian belief system, but believed that the themes found within his made up mythology, were applicable, that is, that they pointed towards moral and spiritual truths. Caldecott suggests for example that the ring of Sauron was a metaphor for temptation. In terms of the greater themes and truths that Tolkien thought in, I would have to agree with Caldecott, on this issue at least. Of course it is important to remember that Tolkien was also creating a secondary world, and that when it comes down to it, he was trying to write a good story. Perhaps we can think of him more as a Christian mythologist allowing his worldview to seep into the marvellous story he was creating, as much as someone with the desire to explore greater themes intrinsic to the human condition.

The Gate to the Mines of Moria

in Tolkien's, The Lord of the Rings.